The Ultra Wave family is gearing up for the 18^th Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival taking place February 10-17 in Los Angeles at the Culver Plaza Theatre (9919 Washington Blvd.).  This year Ultra Wave is proud to be the community collaborator on two special screenings, “41^st & Central: The Untold Story of the L.A. Black Panthers” and “Soul Train: The Hippest Trip in America.”

The PAFF presents and showcases a broad spectrum of Black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images and help to destroy negative stereotypes of Africans and African-Americans.  In addition to the film festival, the PAFF will present its world renowned Art Show February 12-15 at the Westfield Culver Plaza (6000 Sepulveda Blvd. Culver City), featuring over 100 fine artists and craftspeople from around the world showcasing the best in Black fine art, sculpture, photography, unique handmade crafts, home furnishings, designer jewelry, designer fashions and accessories that highlight the artistry and beauty of the African aesthetic. For more information, please visit www.paff.org or call (310) 337-4737.

Ultra Wave Sponsored Screenings

41^st & Central: The Untold Story of the Los Angeles Black Panthers

Monday, February 15 (President’s Day)
3:30 p.m.
Culver Plaza Theatre 9919 Washington Blvd. Los Angeles
Tickets $30 and includes panel discussion and after party
Buy Tickets

Documentary Feature
2009 | 120 min | U.S. | English
Directed by: Gregory Everett
Written by: Gregory Everett, Gary Walker, Nicole Jefferson
Produced by: Gregory Everett, Julius Turrentine, Darnell Howard, Roland Freeman, Gary Walker, Masai Minters, Jasmyne A. Cannick, Jeff Cooper, George Chapell

“41^st & Central: The Untold Story of the L.A. Black Panthers”, a two part documentary series by filmmaker Gregory Everett, follows the Southern California Chapter of the Black Panther Party from its glorious Black Power beginnings through to its tragic demise.  Despite the Party’s formation of free medical clinics and a successful breakfast program for children, the L.A. chapter was also known as the most violent Black political group in the United States.  “41^st & Central: The Untold Story of the L.A. Black Panthers” explores The Black Panther ethos, its conflict with the L.A.P.D., and the US Organization as well as the events that shaped the complicated and often contradictory legacy of the L.A. Panthers.  The film contains interviews with former Black Panther Party members along with archival footage detailing the history of racism in Los Angeles, including the Watt’s uprising from the perspective of the participants who “engaged with the L.A.P.D.”  “41^st & Central: The Untold Story of the L.A. Black Panthers”, is the most in-depth study ever of L.A. Chapter founder Alpretice “Bunchy Carter” with the Party’s formation told by the original surviving members and an eyewitness account of Bunchy and John Huggins murder at U.C.L.A. in 1968.  The film includes exclusive interviews with Black Panther Party leaders Geronimo Ji Jagga and Elaine Brown about their membership in the L.A. Chapter and the U.C.L.A. murders.   Also featured are L.A. Panthers members Ericka Huggins, Roland & Ronald Freeman, Wayne Pharr, Jeffrey Everett, Long John Washington, Muhammad Mubarak, former L.A.P.D. Chief Bernard Parks, US Organization member Wesley Kabaila, U.C.L.A. Professor Scot Brown, and many others.

Soul Train: The Hippest Trip in America

Wednesday, February 17
7 p.m.
Culver Plaza Theatre 9919 Washington Blvd. Los Angeles
Tickets $30 and includes Soul Train themed after party
Buy Tickets

Documentary Feature
2009 | 90 min | U.S. | English
Director(s): J. Kevin Swain, Amy Goldberg

“Soul Train: The Hippest Trip In America” is narrated by Academy Award nominee Terrence Howard and features an original score by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson of The Roots. The documentary includes memorable performances and moments from the show, as well as behind-the-scene stories from the people who lived the “Soul Train” movement, including the cast, crew, and dancers. In addition, popular musicians (Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Smokey Robinson, Snoop Dogg, Aretha Franklin), Sly Stone’s first exclusive documentary interview in years, comics (Cedric “The Entertainer,” Nick Cannon), music industry executives (L.A. Reid, Clive Davis, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff) and actors of yesterday and today will comment on growing up with the show and will share their stories of how “Soul Train” affected their own lives. “Soul Train: The Hippest Trip In America” is the newest documentary in the Emmy Award-winning VH1 Rock Doc franchise. VH1 Rock Docs are feature-length documentaries that tell unique stories of artists and music from a wide range of genres, styles, and musical perspectives. For more information on VH1 Rock Docs, visit RockDocs.VH1.com.

Few television series were as innovative and influential to pop culture as “Soul Train.” Set first in Chicago, “Soul Train” launched on WCIU-TV with local radio and television personality, Don Cornelius on August 17, 1970. After moving the dance show to Los Angeles, “Soul Train” skyrocketed nationally and firmly secured its place in television by becoming the longest running, first-run syndicated series in history. To commemorate the show’s 40th anniversary, VH1 Rock Docs and Soul Train present “Soul Train: The Hippest Trip In America,” a monumental 90-minute documentary celebrating the show’s impact on pop culture, music, dance and fashion. The film will also feature a rare interview with Don Cornelius in which he reveals exclusive details regarding the launch and early days of the legendary series. From 1970-2006, “Soul Train” offered a window into African American music and culture, and its charismatic host, Don Cornelius, was the man responsible for a new era in African American expression. A trained journalist, Don created a media empire that provided an outlet for record labels and advertisers to reach a new generation of music fans. He was and still is one of the first African Americans to own his own show. As the epitome of cool, many of his expressions entered the popular American lexicon: “A groove that will make you move real smooth,” and “Wishing you Love, Peace, and Soul!” Few television series were as innovative and influential to pop culture as “Soul Train.” Set first in Chicago, “Soul Train” launched on WCIU-TV with local radio and television personality, Don Cornelius on August 17, 1970. After moving the dance show to Los Angeles, “Soul Train” skyrocketed nationally and firmly secured its place in television by becoming the longest running, first-run syndicated series in history.